Shama Hyder is a long-time friend and the Founder and CEO of Zen Media, a full-service agency specializing in B2B marketing and PR. Shama is known for being a trend-spotter and having an eye for what's next and how brands can stay relevant in turbulent and fast-moving times. She is a keynote speaker who talks about AI, generational change, and all the other factors that play into staying relevant in today's world. In today's episode, we talk about an early role model for her who was her Graduate advisor at UT Austin and the difference it made for Shama seeing someone that inspiring, who was a woman of color, in action in that professional environment and realizing that she could do that, too! We talk about marketing, PR, social media, the early days of Twitter, how she got her start in social media, her work with many legacy brands and how they stay relevant, Barbie the movie, and more. She helps us embrace what's happening right now and boils it down to 3 things: 1) AI - what role does it play for us? How will it shape the future? How do you get in front of people via AI? 2) Generational Change - 65 is the peak birthday and the repercussions of that there are now more GenZers in workplace than Baby boomers And finally, 3) Social media as we know it. Shama talks about the split between social and media and how realizing that "we consume publicly, but engage privately" informed and changed her approach. She shares a LOT of great information and I believe you'll get a lot out of what she shares. It's important. Find Shama at zenmedia.com and at linkedin.com/in/shamahayder
Shama Hyder is a well-respected and early pioneer in the world of social media. She brings a rare “from the trenches” perspective. She’s the Founder and CEO of Zen Media, one of today’s leading B2B marketing and PR companies in the country. Shama is also an active Henry Crown Fellow within the Aspen Global Leadership Network at the Aspen Institute.
Shama is the bestselling author of The Zen of Social Media Marketing, now in its 4th edition, and Momentum: How to Propel Your Marketing and Transform Your Brand in the Digital Age. An acclaimed keynote speaker, Shama has delivered keynotes in over 24 countries and spoken for recognized brands, including NASA, Yale, Movado, Marriott, Chase, Toyota, Mastercard, and Disney.
Shama Hyder helps leaders and companies understand strategically and practically how to connect what’s next to what is now. She has been named the “Zen Master of Marketing” by Entrepreneur Magazine and the “Millennial Master of the Universe” by Fast Company. Shama has also been honored at both the White House and The United Nations as one of the top 100 young entrepreneurs in the country.
As a result of her success, Shama has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the prestigious Technology Titan Emerging Company CEO Award. She is one of the only entrepreneurs to be recognized by Business Week, Inc, and Forbes alike for being an Under 30 Mover and a Shaker. LinkedIn named her one of their “Top Voices” in Marketing and Social Media for four years in a row. In 2023, she was named the Top Marketing Leader by Masthead Media.
As a preeminent thinker in the digital age, Shama is a coveted media contributor, frequently featured on platforms such as NPR, Inc., Fox Business, MSNBC, Bloomberg, and CW. Her insights continue to shape the industry, inspiring others to navigate the ever-shifting digital terrain confidently.
Find Shama at zenmedia.com and at linkedin.com/in/shamahayder